Week 6 Bible Study: Should we keep the Sabbath?

 

Week 6: Ten Commandments Study, #4

“Remember The Sabbath day to keep it Holy, you are to labor six days and do all your work but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” Exodus 20:8-11

In this study we will be answering the question of whether modern day Christians are required to observe the Sabbath. We will do this through a series of questions.

Q: Isn’t Sabbath an old testament doctrine under the law? The law was done away with, we’re under the new covenant.

A: For clarity on this let’s look at Matthew 5:17-18: “Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the [a]Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished.
Here Yahusha (Jesus) himself is saying he didn’t come to do away with the law but to fulfill and that the law would not pass until it is completely fulfilled or accomplished. With Yahushas’ (Jesus) Death and resurrection He became the perfect sacrifice for the atonement of our sins so there was no longer a need to offer sacrifices as was the practice according to the law at that time. By Yahusha becoming the ultimate sacrifice, there is no longer a need for the Levitical order or the practice of offering sacrifices so this portion of the law has been fulfilled however the whole of the law has not and will not until the second coming of Yahusha (Jesus).

A: Let’s also keep in mind that Yahusha (Jesus) taught keeping the commandments during His life and ministry.

 “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.” John 14:15 AMP

The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].” John 14:21 AMP

A: Jesus Kept the Sabbath as well as his disciples after his death and resurrection. Some of these accounts can be found at Luke 4:16, Luke 23:56 and Hebrews 4:9. Sabbath is not just an old testament law it is biblical for all followers of Christ, remember Yahusha (Jesus) taught that Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27) it was meant to be a blessing to us.

Q: What about the scripture at Colossians 2:16-17, was Paul saying we don’t need to observe the Sabbath? In order to get proper context, examine the scriptures prior by reading verses 8, 12, 15 and verses 20-22.

A: Paul is mentioning that Yahusha (Jesus) disarmed the rulers and authorities and triumphed over them. During His ministry He often spoke against them publicly when they attempted to impose their traditions on Him and His disciples. One such tradition was that of ceremonial hand washing, a strong rebuke by Yahusha (Jesus) against them for this is recorded at Luke 11:38-46.

This is what prompted Paul to write the text at Colossians 2:16-17, He wasn’t telling them not to uphold the law because Paul was an observer of the law himself…

“Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation].” Romans 3:31 AMP

“So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” Romans 7:12 AMP

There were many of these “oral traditions” or “ordinances” that were being imposed on the people at that time, they were often referred to as the “oral Torah” because of the strict stewardship of the Pharisees (religious leaders) these laws sometimes superseded that of the actual Torah.  Today they may be referred to as the Talmud.

In the previously mentioned verses Paul is actually speaking to this and how the religious leaders upheld these oral traditions such that they became a burden to the people, this is what he meant by “let no man judge you”.

Keeping Sabbath is a commandment from God and if we can understand the need to keep all other commandment than why would we ignore this one especially since nowhere in scripture are we actually instructed not to observe.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns please email them to iamcprice@gmail.com